Centre diff lock oil leak

[Scotty56 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scotty56]

Hi all

Can any one help me with some info please. :?
I have a 2003 TD Grande 4speed Auto and it has developed an oil leak from the 'O' ring of the centre diff lock actuating unit (elecrically operated) where it fits into the transfer case.
My question is can I undo the 3 bolts holding the unit onto the transfer case and remove it to replace the 'O' ring without anything falling out (selector shafts etc) or causing any major problems. :?:

thanks

Kim

[Scotty56 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scotty56]

Re: Centre diff lock oil leak

Well I thought I'd have a go at fixing the leak, I removed the 3 bolts holding the unit to the transfer case and gently moved it back. It moved about 30mm quite easily then stopped, you could see the selector shaft between the actuator and the transfer case and I wasn't brave enough to keep pulling the unit back. I could see the 'O' ring and I even turned it in it's groove, anyway I put the unit back into it's place and bugger me the oil leak has stopped, when I moved the 'O' ring it must have put in a new position which has sealed it.

Kim

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Centre diff lock oil leak

Sorry Kim I must have missed your original post.

On the end of that shaft is a selector fork, so by the looks there was no way it was ever going to come out without splitting the case and removing the fork first.

Looks like you had a win anyway wth the leak anyway, but if it starts again just undo it again to where you had it and clean it up, then smear some gasket maker/sealant on it and reassemble.

Mick

[Scotty56 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scotty56]

Re: Centre diff lock oil leak

No worries Mick it's all good at the moment, but if it does start to leak again I certainly will be putting some sealer on the 'O' ring instead of splitting the case.

thanks

Kim

[benhur Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close benhur]

Re: Centre diff lock oil leak

Hi Guys

I see this is a rather old topic but in stead of starting a new one I will rather revive this one.

My transfer case is also leaking at the seal between the transfer case and the actuator The leak is not serious but rather annoying, every now and then there is a mark on the garage floor where a new drop was deposited. I but a carton box down so I could easily see the extend. This has been going on for a while now. A few days back I checked the oil level and it took about 50ml before it was full. But seeing that this a Land Cruiser and not a Land Rover I'd rather it not leave its mark where it park. :twisted: :twisted:

So is it as easy as remove the the 3 bolts, pull back the unit 30mm and then clean and seal with some silicone gasket maker? Is the resting oil level up to this opening or does oil only go in there when the vehicle is running? Will I have to drain the transfer case oil first before I attempt this repair?

[benhur Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close benhur]

Re: Centre diff lock oil leak

Hi Guys

I removed the actuator on my vehicle during the past weekend. I am not sure if our models here in SA differs but I was able to pull mine off completely. The shaft that goes into the transfer case has gear-teeth on it. I pulled out from the actuator altogether while the shaft stayed connected (but extruding) from the transfer case. Unfortunately at the time, it was just before the shops closed on Saturday, so I could not find a new O-ring so I sealed it with silicon gasket maker, and so far so good.

I spoke to a guy this weekend who used to be a service manager at Toyota and he told me that at the time when the 120 series Prado's came out in SA they had a lot of warranty returns on these actuators where they actually leaked around the shaft and oil went into the actuator itself eventually filling it with oil. They then had to replace the actuator as a whole. I inspected mine but it was free of oil all I could see inside the actuator was a small amount of white grease on the gear itself so I guess mine is OK.

Time will tell if mine is now leak free :wink: